Editor rating:
9/10 on
FRANK MAY
User's rating:

PROS

  • Very durable outsole
  • Generously padded heel cup
  • FlexFilm overlays for a better fit

CONS

  • Narrow toe box, runners should also test the wide type
  • Laces show slight deformation after regular use
  • Edges of flex film begin to peel after a few dozen miles

OUR VERDICT

The Saucony Ride 8 comes from a lineage of successful models and proves itself to still be a great durable trainer for neutral runners. It's not the lightest out there, but that won't matter when you notice how durable they are.
SHOE INFO
Brand
Ride 8
Model
Type
9.40 oz. (266 gr.)
Weight
120 US$
MSRP
Family
Previous model
WHO IS IT FOR
The Saucony Ride 8 is a shoe for neutral runners looking for a reliable trainer with moderate cushioning and responsiveness.

Saucony Ride 8 General Info

Saucony designed their Ride series of shoes to give a runner “the perfect blend of cushioning and responsiveness”.

Comparing this to the Saucony Zealots, which are the “perfect blend of plush cushioning and lightweight”, and you’ll see the Ride shoes are not supposed to be the lightest or the most cushioned out there.

Saucony wants the Ride shoes to be responsive and durable, while not sacrificing on other fronts.They have a 26mm heel stack height and an 18mm forefoot stack height on the shoe, which gives the shoe an 8mm drop.

This is a higher drop than the 4mm in the Saucony Mirages and the Zealots.

Saucony Ride 8 Sole Info

The outsole is wonderfully packed with a mix of rubber patches. Most of the outsole is Saucony’s iBR+ rubber that is 33% lighter and provides more cushioning than standard blown rubber.

It’s not as durable as regular rubber, which is why Saucony put their more durable and heavier XT-900 carbon rubber under the heel and tip of the toe.

I also have to say that the Ride 8 sole (and some of the upper) reminds me of the New Balance 880v4s I ran in almost a year ago.

Saucony uses SSL EVA foam in the midsole to keep the weight down while returning a decent amount of energy back in every stride.

I found the midsole to do just about that, and it also did not show that much wear after I put in the 50 miles of testing.

There’s also SRC (Saucony’s “Super Rebound Compound”), which places extra cushioning near the outer rear heel to absorb more shock when you land. If you land on your forefoot, this won’t matter much to you.

Saucony Ride 8 Upper Info

The upper of the Ride 8s is mostly made up of a durable and breathable mesh. This mesh is finer than the mesh used in the Ride 7s which might be due to the use of FlexFilm on the Ride 8s.

FlexFilm is the thin overlay that’s melded onto the upper for additional support without additional stitching. I found it gave the upper added strength, but the FlexFilm started to slightly peel away on the edges.

It’s mostly cosmetic and I don’t expect it to become a big issue. You’ll also see large patches of stronger overlays along the midfoot and hindfoot.

Some of it’s just for appearance, but the majority of it keeps the upper stable and durable. I especially like the few patches of reflective material Saucony has around the upper.

The laces on the Ride 8s are slightly different than standard laces. They are flat and stretchy (and neon in my case!). I measured and found they can stretch an additional 30% when tugged at full force.

It’s quite a ways from rubber bands, but it’s subtle and different.This lets you keep a snug fit on your feet, even as your feet expand during the run.

The only drawback is these laces start to lose their flexibility over time and also warp in areas of high stress.

My biggest complaint with these shoes is something you can easily remedy. The toe box felt a tad small to me compared to other shoes in the same field.

The remedy? Just get the wider version! Still, it’s something you should consider before buying these shoes.

Saucony uses a RUNDRY lining wicks moisture away to keep your feet dry.

I think it’s somewhat unnecessary on Saucony’s part to give a breathable polyester lining a special name since almost every other running shoe has the same technology. Regardless, the lining does a decent job of wicking away moisture and is relatively plush in the heel cup.

Saucony Ride 8 Conclusions

The Saucony Ride 8 is a durable trainer designed for the road and track while providing moderate cushioning.

The shoes are a tad heavier than some of the competitors, but that is easy to understand when you see how durable the shoes are. I would recommend these shoes to any neutral runner that wants a responsive and long lasting shoe.

We thank the nice people at Saucony for sending us a pair of Ride 8 to test. This did not influence the outcome of the review, written after running more than 50 miles in them.

Saucony Ride 8 Price Comparison

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